Tonawanda Blockhouse: 1812, Erie County, Tonawanda. One small blockhouse existed on the south shore of the Tonawanda Creek at the War of 1812. A trick with marching troops prevented attack in 1812, but in December 1813 the blockhouse and unnamed settlement were burned. The settlement eventually became Niagara Village and later split into Tonawanda (Erie County) and North Tonawanda (Niagara County).